Bedwas RFC 19 Neath RFC 24
Bedwas lost a controversial match at home to Neath in the Principality Premiership on Saturday April 5.
Two first half tries paved the way for Neath but the game ended in controversy as uncontested scrums were called with Bedwas camped on the Neath line.
Neath’s fly half James Thomas opened the scoring after six minutes with a penalty goal before three Richard Powell penalties put Bedwas in charge.
A well worked try by Neath lock Leon Ward reduced the deficit after 29 minutes and five minutes later Thomas added a second penalty to put his side ahead.
Neath stretched their lead on 37 minutes after quick ball from a line out saw scrum half Tom James dart through a huge gap in the Bedwas defence to cross for a try, that James Thomas converted.
A late first half penalty from Richard Powell reduced the Neath lead to six points.
The second half took a while to get going before Thomas extended Neath’s lead with a penalty.
But Bedwas rung the chances after 58 minutes and immediately scored with a great finish by Rory Budina, that Powell converted.
A Thomas penalty extended the lead again for Neath following the sin-binning of Bedwas replacement number eight Dan Crimmins for a ruck infringement.
Bedwas won a five metre scrum late on after fighting hard to get back into the game.
The scrum was reset and Neath replacement prop Roy Jones was taken off with an injury and with no replacement front row players on the bench passive scrums were called.
Neath won the scrum and booted the ball into touch to claim the win to howls of derision from the Bedwas faithful, ending any chance of a top three finish.
Report supplied by Ian Lovell, Bedwas RFC.